He was educated at The King's School, Parramatta and undertook a grand tour of Europe between 1842 and 1845.
On his return to Australia he farmed his father's property "Kirkham Estate" initially growing lucerne but later converting to cereal crops.
[1] Together with his brother and fellow parliamentarian, Henry Oxley,[2] he received a government grant of 5,000 acres in the Camden area.
[1] In 1856 Oxley was elected unopposed as one of the two members for Western Division of Camden in the first New South Wales Legislative Assembly under responsible government.
[7] He married Harriet Jane (Hassall) at Narellan on 15 February 1854 and had five daughters and three sons.